Massage Therapist Salary in Fort Collins, CO: $65,495 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Fort Collins, CO earns a median $65,495/year (≈ $31.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Fort Collins's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.1), that paycheck buys what $64,764 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Collins, Colorado, the landscape for massage therapist salaries reveals promising opportunities, with a projected median annual salary of $65,495 for 2026. This figure not only surpasses the national median of $61,975 but also highlights the competitive nature of the local job market. The salary range for massage therapists in this area is considerable, spanning from $50,725 at the 10th percentile to a notable $103,888 at the 90th percentile. Such data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, underscores the potential for higher earnings, particularly for those who choose to operate as self-employed practitioners. While the cash-pay model can enable ambitious therapists to command premium hourly rates, they must also navigate the associated burdens of overhead and marketing to attract clients within the thriving community of Fort Collins.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,725 | $24.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,298 | $26.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,495 | $31.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,717 | $39.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,888 | $49.95 |
Median Salary Position
5.68% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Collins
In Fort Collins, CO, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,163 (2026 est.). At $65,495, the local median is 5.68% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Collins: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Collins Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Fort Collins median: $65,495/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Collins Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $61,975 | +5.68% more |
Massage Therapists in Fort Collins, CO earn a median of $65,495 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.68% higher than the national median of $61,975.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Collins has a cost of living 1.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Collins, CO has a cost-of-living index of 101.128 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,495 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,764 — a 1.12% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,100
2025 BLS Actual
$61,770
2026 Current Est.
$65,495
2019–2027 Growth
+57.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Fort Collins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,495 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,444 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Collins metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 40.1% from $44,100 (2019) to $61,770 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,444 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,344 (57.47%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Collins metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.03% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $50,725 – $54,298 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,298 – $65,495 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,495 – $81,717 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,717 – $103,888 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Fort Collins
Exploring the local labor market further, there are currently 390 massage therapists employed in Fort Collins, illustrating a stable demand for these professionals. However, the cost of living comfort, reflected by a Cost of Living Index of 101.128, suggests that therapists may find more of their earnings absorbed by daily expenses compared to other regions. Among the various employers, day spas and chiropractic clinics tend to offer the most competitive pay; however, the wide disparity in earnings can often be attributed to the employment structure. Self-employed therapists often excel not just from higher per-session fees but also from tips, which can add an extra 15-25% on top of their base rates. Moreover, specialization in fields such as oncology or sports massage can lead to premium pricing. For those looking to maximize earnings in Fort Collins, focusing on building a loyal clientele, enhancing skills, and branching into specialty practices can significantly enhance overall compensation while navigating the unique local dynamics of the massage therapy field.
More salary data for Fort Collins, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, LMT
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience in massage therapy. They specialize in sports massage. They work in a wellness center.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $61,770 for massage therapistsin the Fort Collins metropolitan area. A 6.03% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.03%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for massage therapists (SOC 31-9011).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, LMT, a licensed massage therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov